Around a hundred and fifty kilometres east of the Turkish capital of Ankara in the highlands of Anatolia, was the heart of the once powerful Hittite Empire.

In the Upper City, two viaducts crossed a man-made gorge in order to connect it with the Sari Kale and Yenice Kale castles.

A wall close to seven kilometres long enclosed the whole city. It was built mainly of solid stone blocks and, in the upper sections, mud tiles.

The Lower City was dominated by great temples. In addition to the holy district it also embraced the magazine, a large storehouse on each side of which was a wide street. Its rooms were up to three stories high and built of wood and clay with plastered, painted walls.

With a little imagination it is possible to become better acquainted with the ruins of this ancient Hattasus metropolis whose power and influence reigned supreme over the great Hittite Empire.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.